Song Jianhao acted immediately, calling Xiao Wu to transfer the money.
Xiao Wu did not hesitate, instructing the finance department to process it right away. Twenty thousand yuan arrived in their account within half an hour.
The next morning, Song Jianhao, along with Yang Jian, Song Jianmin, and Biao Biao, went to the Volkswagen 4S store in the city center. They purchased a Volkswagen car outright for over 180,000 yuan. Including purchase tax, insurance, and other fees, the total approached 210,000 yuan, with Yang Jian covering the excess himself.
The new car was driven back to the rental house, and everyone at the company was envious.
Even Song Jianhao was a little impressed. "Little Yang, you're really something. Jianmin's Santana was a used car bought for six thousand yuan, and my Nissan was a debt settlement from a gambler, worth only twenty thousand. This car you've got is definitely the first of its kind in your Xinqiao Town."
Song Jianmin joked, "Yang Jian, if you drive that car back, I bet the matchmakers will be breaking down your door, and all the beautiful girls in Xinqiao Town will be fighting to marry you."
Yang Jian felt a bit embarrassed by the remarks but was genuinely excited. He owned a car! It was a dream for many young people. His parents would be overjoyed when he drove it back during the Qingming Festival.
Biao Biao was even more thrilled. "Brother Jian, I hope you never pass your exams. Then I'll be your personal driver, and this great car will be my private transport."
Everyone burst into laughter. Song Jianhao playfully slapped him. "Look at you, you've got no ambition. Can't you strive to buy one yourself? You get some money and you're off doing drugs. I think you'll be ruined by drugs in this lifetime."
"Alright, I've decided to quit drugs starting today."
"I don't believe you for a second. Listen up, everyone. Don't just envy Yang Jian for buying such a nice car. He earned it with his life. Remember when he and Xiao Wu were cornered by Brother Xiong and his eight guardians? Brother Xiong was about to cripple them both, but at the critical moment, Yang Jian fought back with all his might. He not only saved Xiao Wu but also subdued Brother Xiong, forcing him to give up the territory south of the river. Yang Jian himself was injured and hospitalized. Would any of you have done that?
And then there was the threat from Bald Head with a gun. He remained calm under pressure, standing in front of me and Xiao Wu to stabilize Bald Head. Would any of you have done that?
So, if you want to earn the boss's respect, you need to be willing to risk your life at crucial moments. Don't back down when things get tough. We're in the underworld business. If you're timid and fearful, you might as well go back to hauling bricks at construction sites."
Song Jianhao seized this opportunity to give his subordinates a "brainwashing" session.
However, no one was really listening. They were all silently thinking, "If I had Yang Jian's skills, I'd dare to charge forward too."
"Yang Jian, starting today, you'll practice driving in the morning and help out at the casino in the afternoon. But I think you should also make time to visit the logging area. Xiao Wu has shown enough sincerity; give him some face. After all, he's now the boss second only to Brother Xiong in the Xunsi River area."
"Alright, I can go to the logging area once a day, but I won't go to his company, nor will I accept Xiao Wu's orders."
Yang Jian wasn't unreasonable. Xiao Wu had gone to great lengths to buy him a car with twenty thousand yuan. Twenty thousand yuan was an astronomical sum in the countryside back then; his father's annual gross income was only twenty thousand yuan.
Since he hadn't obtained his driver's license yet, the car could only be driven by Biao Biao for the time being. As they didn't need a car for the casino in the afternoon, Yang Jian walked with Song Jianmin to the casino by the railway.
Although he came to the casino every day during this period, he always just took the two thousand yuan and left, never paying attention to the changes. Today, he noticed that the gambling tables had been extended to ten meters, and the number of gamblers had more than doubled.
As the gambling games began, Yang Jian observed that the games were divided into two sections. The same person, referred to as "Emperor," was the dealer. To his left were people betting with small change, with wagers ranging from thirty, fifty, to eighty yuan. Although the amounts were small, there were many bettors, filling half the table each time.
To the Emperor's right were those betting with red chips, with a minimum of one hundred yuan and many betting one to two thousand yuan. The number of bettors was also significant.
It was no wonder Song Jianhao was reluctant to offend Xiao Wu. With such a lively scene, the daily rake income should be twenty to thirty thousand yuan.
The "Emperor" dealing the cards was not Wu Wangchun. Yang Jian didn't recognize him, and his accent suggested he wasn't from the Xinhe District. This indicated that Song Jianhao had extensive connections in the Han City gambling circles, as the dealers often changed.
"Yang Jian, here's the two thousand yuan for you."
Around three in the afternoon, as the gambling games progressed, Song Jianmin, as usual, handed Yang Jian the money to be remitted to Xiao Wu.
Yang Jian was stunned. He no longer wanted to go to Changlong Company, nor did he want to meet Xiao Wu.
Biao Biao, being quick-witted, said, "Brother Jian, I'll deliver the money for you, and then I'll take you for a spin around the logging area."
This was a viable solution. Yang Jian gave Biao Biao one thousand yuan in cash and went with him to the north bank of the Xunsi River. They arrived at the entrance of Changlong Company. Yang Jian waited in the car while Biao Biao went up alone to hand over the money.
It took Biao Biao a full half hour to come back down.
"Brother Jian, I just met Xiao Wu. He asked a lot about you."
"What did you say?"
"I said the car was bought, and Brother Hao convinced you not to leave the Seventh Brigade. You'll be working at the casino for now, and also handling the logging area business. Xiao Wu was very happy to hear that and even gave me five doses of the drug."
"Didn't you say you wanted to quit the drug?"
"I do want to quit, but I can't resist when I see it. How about I finish these five doses and then quit?"
"That's your business; I can't control it. But you won't have a future if you continue like this."
Biao Biao felt embarrassed by the remark and quickly changed the subject. "Oh, right, Brother Jian. When I went to the finance department to pay the money just now, a beautiful young lady specifically asked about you. She said you've blocked her phone number and QQ, and asked me to pass on a message: if you don't unblock them within three days, she'll come to the venue to find you."
Upon hearing this, Yang Jian knew it was Wu Xiaoyue. Ever since Xiao Wu had mentioned wanting to set them up, he had blocked all contact with her.
"I don't know her well; why would she look for me?"
"How would I know? She must have fallen for you. But I don't think you two are a good match. This young lady looks very fierce, and you're stubborn. You two together would be like a needle against a magnet."
Biao Biao analyzed their relationship like a seasoned player in the dating game.
"Damn, you sound like you have a lot of experience. Then tell me, what kind of girl is suitable for me?"
Young men often talked about women, and Yang Jian was no exception.
"You're tall, strong, dashing, and handsome – the type most girls like. But the one truly suitable for you should have a personality like Lin Daiyu: petite, gentle, and delicate, evoking a desire to protect. Such a girl would be a perfect match for your masculinity."
"You talk so smoothly, as if you've been in love before. Let's drive; head to the logging area."
Although Yang Jian outwardly dismissed Biao Biao's words, he inwardly agreed with his assessment. The kind of girlfriend he envisioned was indeed like Lin Daiyu. Wu Xiaoyue, while beautiful, wasn't his type.